Home & Garden & Design July 30, 2019

Best Low Maintenance Indoor Plants🌱

ZZ Plantone of the lowest maintenance options on the market. It only needs to be watered three times a month, doesn’t require a lot of light, and will not attract bugs or other pests.

Air Plants – these natural wonders sustain themselves on moisture from the air, and require no soil to grow. They usually are displayed in stylish air plant holders, adding an extra flair to your space

Ficus Danielle – if you are looking for a statement maker and have space for a 3-foot tree, this is the plant for you. It has a twisted trunk and waxy leaves, and requires medium to bright sunlight

Bird’s Nest Fern – these plants do well in bathrooms and confined spaces, can thrive in low light, and can be either hung or potted

Pothos – these truly do your indoor space a favor by purifying the air and can strip your home of toxins known to form in carpets and rugs. These plants look beautiful hanging from a basket with their leaves draping down 

Iron PlantThe iron plant can survive in low light, poor soil, and with minimal water, making it one of the most durable indoor plants. The deep green leaves also make for a stunning pop of color in your home.

Peace Lily – with some medium to bright indirect sunlight, these plants will flower delicate, white lilies. They only require watering once a week so are great for an office

Snake Plant – with mighty durable leaves, these treasures can survive almost any environment. They only require occasional watering, letting the soil dry between between waterings. 

Aloe Vera – a household staple for those looking for a plant that also serves as an instant medication for any topical skin ailments like scrapes and burns

Fiddle Leaf Fig – this plant offers a unique shape – tall but not wide, so it is great if you have minimal floor space. It requires medium light but only needs to be watered when the soil is dry to the touch

Home & Garden & Design July 30, 2019

Small Updates to Completely Transform Your Living Room🛋️

Change your throw pillows – create some dimension by getting pillows with varying textures and sizes, and make sure they reflect your personality! Switching up throw pillows for the changing seasons is a great way to refresh

Get a new rug – this can really change the look and feel of a room, almost as much as a new paint color can. Finding the right size rug that works well with the rest of your furniture is key – don’t settle until you find the right one!

Rearrange your furniture – what is especially great about this idea is that you don’t have to work anything new into your space. Pay attention to the visual weight balance of the room If you have something large on one side, balance it out with something equally large or a cluster of small items on the other side

Change your coffee table vignette – adding things like fresh flowers, candles, decorative coasters, or an art book are great pieces to add to your coffee table. Because most of these items are small and inexpensive, you can interchange them as often as you’d like!

Update your walls – you don’t always have to change your paint color to breathe new life into your walls. Adding art, hanging tapestries, shelves, or even draping lights can make a big impact

Mount some shelving – this is a game changer! There are so many variations of wall shelves; different sizes and colors, different ways to stagger them, and of course an endless amount of what you can actually showcase on them

Add some greenery – a stellar way to literally breathe life into your space! Add them to your coffee table, your wall shelves, hang them from the ceiling, place them on the ground in pots or on a pedestal. Opportunities are endless!

Community June 25, 2019

🗓️2019 Bay Area Festival Season!🌞

There is something to do just about every weekend in the Bay Area during the summer! From art & wine festivals, to music events, and kids activities, there is certainly something everyone can enjoy. Mark your calendars!

 

 

Stern Grove Festival – San Francisco

Sundays @ 2pm, June 16 – August 18 – Free Admission & Picnic Tables for Paid Reservation

Stern Grove Festival Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to make live musical experiences accessible to all.

Every year since 1938, the organization presents Stern Grove Festival, a free concert series, in Sigmund Stern Grove, a beautiful outdoor amphitheater located at 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard in San Francisco.

 

Monterey International Blues Festival

Saturday, June 29 – 11am – 7:30pm – $35-$125

The Monterey International Blues Festival is back for its third year, as they strive to preserve the Blues, that great American tradition, with a day of fun in the sun for the whole family (kids 10 and under get in for free*) and of course, the best blues in the Bay Area.

 

Fillmore Jazz Festival

Saturday & Sunday, July 6-7, 10am – 6pm – FREE

Blending art and soul in one of the country’s most unique neighborhoods, the Fillmore Jazz Festival is the largest free jazz festival on the West Coast, drawing over 100,000 visitors over the Independence Day weekend on Fillmore Street in San Francisco between Jackson and Eddy streets.

 

Los Altos Art & Wine Festival

Saturday & Sunday, July 14-15, 10am – 6pm – FREE

Showcases the distinctive works of artists and craftspeople from more than a dozen states, features select vintages from local wineries, wide variety of foods, free concerts and activities and entertainment for children.

 

Gilroy Garlic Festival

July 26, 7 & 28 – Tickets for Purchase

Great food, live entertainment, cooking competitions, and more!

 

Fremont Festival of the Arts

Saturday & Sunday, August 3-4, 10am – 6pm – FREE

The Fremont Festival Of The Arts is the largest free street festival west of the Mississippi, attracting nearly 400,000 people annually & has activities and entertainment for the entire family.

 

20th Annual Laurel Street Fair World Music Festival 

Saturday, August 10, 11m – 7pm – FREE

Rich with rhythms from around the globe and around the corner, the Laurel Street Fair is dedicated to celebrating the cultural roots, community and traditions of Oakland. Attractions include World Music Performances, DJ’s, Community Yoga, Artisan Vendors, Craft Beer Garden, Local Food Court, Kid’s Carnival & Petting Zoo.

 

Polk Street Blues Festival

Saturday & Sunday, August 17-18, 10am – 6pm – FREE

Polk Street Blues Festival will feature 2 stages of live blues, arts and crafts exhibitors, gourmet food booths, local restaurants, community booths, hands on kids activities and rides, a farmers market, bistro style seating areas, & craft beer and fine wines.

 

Bay Area Latin Jazz Festival

Saturday, August 17 – $25

The Festival will feature local Latin music ensembles, as well as internationally-renowned artists, merchants, food vendors, artisans, and community organizations.4

 

San Francisco Fleet Week

October 6-14, 2019

Held annually between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz, The San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show Presented by United attracts fans from all over the globe. The waterfront event is headlined by The U.S. Navy Blue Angels and is the only air show in the United States with a commercial airliner, the United 777, to perform a fully choreographed act.

 

*Updated 6/24/2019

Community June 22, 2019

🎼The Bay Area’s Best Live Jazz🎷

What’s better than live music?! Whether you are a live jazz connoisseur or you are just looking for a new and fun experience, this list of restaurants, bars, and music venues throughout the Bay Area offer Live Jazz throughout the week. Enjoy!

 

OAKLAND

The Sound Room

Selected as one of the best places to hear jazz in the world, 4 years in a row! Intimate venue offering seating for 72, reservations recommended.

YELP

 

Yoshi’s

In the heart of Oakland’s Jack London Square, Yoshi’s offers an an award-winning 310-seat live performance space, earning a reputation as the Bay Area’s premier location for great Japanese cuisine and jazz music.

YELP

 

SAN FRANCISCO

Local Edition

Located within the old printing room of The Examiner, in the historic Hearst building. Unique experience!

YELP

 

The Black Cat

Curated mix of the best live jazz in San Francisco. True to its roots, the space combines grit with glam in the city’s historic arts and entertainment district

YELP

 

Club Deluxe

Reminiscent of an old time New York City jazz house. Live music 7 nights a week!

YELP

 

Bix

The intimate dining room serving American fare offers all patrons (including our bar guests) a ringside seat to the nightly Jazz

YELP

 

Le Colonial

This themed two-tier French Vietnamese restaurant features two dining rooms on the main floor and live music nightly

YELP

 

Mr. Tipple’s Recording Studio

Live jazz every night, craft cocktails, and food till late.

YELP

 

 

SOUTH BAY

Cafe Stritch

Live Jazz Thursday – Sunday, and Vinyl only DJ night every Wednesday.

YELP

 

Blue Note Lounge – Milpitas

Live Jazz and Karaoke nightly rotation.

YELP

 

Poor House Bistro – San Jose

Cajun restaurant offering live music of varying genres every day.

YELP

 

PENINSULA

Savanna Jazz Club – San Carlos

Award Winning Jazz Club! Open 7 nights a week with local, national, and international talent nightly!

YELP

 

B Street & Vine – San Mateo

Italian Wine Cafe & Restaurant, with Live Music Wednesday – Saturday

YELP

 

*Updated 6/22/2019